Page 11 of Blackout

I marvelled at how he knew all these people. Had he gone to high school with them or had he met them since? Did he work with them, or for them? Were they old neighbours or people he met online? My memories of the time I spent with a boy named Zach were only of private moments. Zach had been popular in high school, there were many people in his orbit, but I had not hung out with him and his high school friends.

Zach’s friends disappeared as quickly as they appeared. I seemed as familiar to them as they did to me. They shook his hand and moved back to where they came from and were ready to kick this party up another level now that the man of the house was here. When everyone had said their hellos, we moved further into the backyard and over to a hut that had been fitted out as a bar.

It was all set up for today’s party. There was alcohol everywhere and plenty of mixers to go with whatever you wanted to drink. The bar was fully powered with lights and a fridge in one corner. There was plenty of room to make drinks and a variety of plastic cups to hold your liquor. I guess this bartender didn’t want glass spread across his backyard.

The outside of the bar was lined with stools, and the benchtop was smooth, level and covered in bar mats. This bar could almost be a replica of the one I’d seen at Black’s Bar and Grill last night. Could Zach be more than just a bartender?

‘A shot of bourbon as promised,’ Zach said as he handed me a shot glass.

‘Ooh, top-shelf,’ I replied, and the amber liquid was gone a moment later, along with that thought of him.

‘I only serve the best, thank you very much.’ Zach and I shared a smile before I remembered my manners.

‘Thank you,’ I said and gave the shot glass back, not ready to jump headfirst into another night full of alcohol.

‘Will you please relax?’ Zach put his hand on my neck, and his thumb rubbed the skin under my ear.

For me that was always easier said than done. But I felt my body warm up from his touch. My whole body tingled, even my core. That sensation was new. I liked it and the effect Zach was having on me.

‘Zees, my man,’ someone yelled into the bar.

Zach turned around to the deep voice, and his touch was gone.

‘About time you got here, bro.’

‘Michaels, my man, the day is young, and we have all night.’ They both chuckled at each other and clasped hands together, then slapped each other on the back.

They could almost be twins. Both looked the same from their tall figures to their hair colour, from their tattoos just peeking out to their taste in clothes. I couldn’t help but feel like I had missed something, but not to worry, I guessed all would be revealed.

‘I want to thank you for getting this set up without me today. Work was a little crazy last night and I needed to make sure everything was good this morning. That’s why I’m late.’

‘It’s all good. Any time, man.’

The blush crept higher on my chest, and I was glad no one was paying any attention to me. I was the reason Zach was late to the party. I had caused the craziness last night that he had felt the need to make sure was okay this morning.

‘Hi, I’m Brock.’ The man talking to Zach turned in my direction.

‘I’m Harley,’ I said, directing my attention to Zach’s friend and hoping when I stepped forward to shake his hand the colour on my chest was gone.

As Brock closed his hand around mine, he took the opportunity to talk to me. ‘It’s nice to meet you, Harley. I’ve known Zach a long time. How do you know him?’

‘The bar,’ was all I managed to croak out, my blush not quite gone.

I was an outsider looking in as the two friends communicated without speaking. They exchanged glances and raised eyebrows that didn’t go unnoticed on me. Had Brock just called Zach on his bullshit about why he was late? I sensed Brock was curious as to why I was here.

They were interrupted by a pretty little blonde woman. She had run up to Zach and launched herself into his arms, planting her lips on his. I wanted to question the men on what their silent conversation was all about, but my head spun as I stood next to Brock.

I wasn’t sure if it was from my hangover, the bourbon I just drank or that I felt out of place here, or if this sudden emotion I felt was jealously and not just because of the pretty blonde who had her legs wrapped around the man of the moment.

‘Zach Hunter…’ The blonde said as she peeled her lips from his, but she was cut off. His index finger was on her lips before she could say the last bit, which I assumed was his surname. I wondered why he didn’t want it said out loud; then again, maybe he hated it.

‘Happy Birthday!’ I saw blondie whisper into his ear, and I guess I had all the information of what the rest of today was all about.

Zach placed blondie back on solid ground and without a sideward glance, reached for my hand and pulled me under his shoulder. I had all of his attention now. I relaxed into him, leaning into his side.

‘Hi, I’m Shea,’ the petite blonde said to me with an ear-to-ear grin.

‘Harley,’ I said back to her, and I put my hand out between us for her to shake.